There is a new cultural phenomenon sweeping China, and, although little Western attention has been paid to its potential social and political implications, it is quite significant. The name of the game is Crazy English and its purveyor is Chinese superstar Li Yang.

Droves of Chinese citizens are buying into Li Yang’s program to help China rise to a position of global power by improving their spoken English. Li tells his audiences that English is the international language of commerce and foreign affairs, so let’s master it and spread the word of the greatness of Chinese culture!

Li Yang utilizes a highly unconventional method of language learning. Developed by Li to combat his own failures in college English courses, his method involves shouting random English phrases at the top of one’s voice at rapid speed while waving one’s hands and arms in patterns that supposedly reflect proper pronunciation.

Li believes that this method is instrumental in breaking down a common barrier to language learning for Chinese students, namely, the fear of “losing face.” The fear of losing face is a widespread obstacle to language learning in China because many students are so worried about making oral mistakes in front of others, especially native English speakers, that they give up speaking altogether.

A major reason for this problem is that English classes in China tend to focus on reading and writing, rather than speaking. This results in Chinese students potentially mastering English grammar, but with acquiring limited proficiency in pronunciation and verbal fluidity. Li Yang Crazy English seeks to bridge this educational gap by focusing on speech.

By forcing students out of their comfort zone when practicing their spoken English, Li hopes that they will gain the confidence to approach native English speakers and strike up a conversation. ...

Download A Survey of Li Yang Crazy English

PDF format, 2.6MB, 92Pages.

By Amber R. Woodward
Victor H. Mair, Editor
Sino-Platonic Papers
Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305 USA
www.sino-platonic.org

CONTENTS
Preface .................................................................................................................................3
Abstract ...............................................................................................................................5
Li Yang: The Man
1. Li Yang’s Background .............................................................................................7
2. The Establishment of Li Yang Crazy English .........................................................8
Crazy English: The Method
3. Precursors to Crazy English ...................................................................................11
4. Crazy English Pedagogical Method .......................................................................15
5. Crazy English Psychological Method ....................................................................25
6. The Potential for Success of the Crazy English Method .......................................30
Li Yang Crazy English Politics: The Madness
7. Li Yang’s Personal Ideology .................................................................................32
8. Zhang Yuan’s 1999 Documentary, Crazy English ................................................45
9. Crazy English Publicity .........................................................................................51
10. Government Response to Li Yang .........................................................................52
11. Connection between the Method and the Madness ................................................54
Appendix
Survey on Li Yang and Crazy English ..................................................................57
Transcript of Time Asia Interview .........................................................................58
Transcript of Li’s Responses to Criticism .............................................................59
Pictures of Li Yang Crazy English ........................................................................59
Bibliography ......................................................................................................................67

ABOUT SINO0PLATONIC PAPERS
SINO-PLATONIC PAPERS is an occasional series edited by Victor H. Mair.

The purpose of the series is to make available to specialists and the interested public the results of research that, because of its unconventional or controversial nature, might otherwise go unpublished. The editor actively encourages younger, not yet well established, scholars and independent authors to submit manuscripts for consideration.

Contributions in any of the major scholarly languages of the world, including Romanized Modern Standard Mandarin (MSM) and Japanese, are acceptable. In special circumstances, papers written in one of the Sinitic topolects (fangyan) may be considered for publication.

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